| If you enjoy sailing and if you love wide open | | | | means are advised to set up a cruise registry. |
| seas, then getting married on board of a ship has | | | | This may sound tacky to some people, but it |
| to be the romantic dream of your lifetime. I know | | | | really isn't, because instead of gifts, wedding |
| about this first hand, because my son and | | | | guests put money into a special account to help |
| daughter in-law were married on a boat with the | | | | with the expense of the cruise. |
| ceremony conducted by the captain. In their case, | | | | A cruise wedding can combine your honeymoon |
| the cruise was a two-hour boat trip with all the | | | | with the wedding ceremony at the same time |
| family and friends on the Intra-Coastal waterway | | | | and make it as relaxing or as action-filled as you |
| in Florida. In the boat, after the wedding | | | | wish. Different companies offer different |
| ceremony, cocktails and snacks were served, to | | | | packages for combination wedding and |
| be followed later by the reception on land with | | | | honeymoon cruises; therefore, it is smart to shop |
| dinner, cake, and the whole works. | | | | around before you settle on one. |
| A cruise wedding, however, could differ from this. | | | | In addition, remember the weather. As romantic |
| The wedding party could be four to eighteen | | | | as it may seem, sailing the Caribbean in the |
| people on a small boat or over two hundred | | | | hurricane season may be a very bad choice. Do |
| people on a cruise ship, and the destination could | | | | some research, and plan your cruise according to |
| be any place in the world, if the couple is able to | | | | the weather in your destination. |
| afford it. | | | | There are many romantic places in the world a |
| If you are thinking of getting married on a cruise | | | | wedding party can sail to, like Alaska, Europe, |
| liner, first get in touch with the cruise lines to find | | | | Pacific Islands, Far East, the Caribbean, the |
| out what they have to offer. Most cruise lines | | | | Mediterranean etc. One interesting and quite |
| provide everything from flowers to decorations | | | | original trip is to get married in a chartered sailing |
| to cake, and they even provide wedding planners. | | | | boat on the Turquoise coast in the Aegean. First |
| Others may expect you to come up with your | | | | you'll have to fly there if you are going from the |
| own plan, to bring in your own music and | | | | USA; however, the rest of the trip is much |
| photographer, or help with the decorations and | | | | cheaper and well worth it. There, with the help of |
| such. | | | | the crew and the captain, you can determine |
| If you are planning an out-of-country cruise, find | | | | your own route and visit the ports and historic |
| out what the different cruise lines ask for the | | | | sites of Turkey, Greece, and Italy. The smaller |
| actual marriage ceremony. Some let their captains | | | | boats can host eight to eighteen people, and in |
| conduct it on board, while others tell you to get | | | | addition to snorkeling and other activities, the |
| married at port and then board the ship. Then, | | | | cuisine is a delight prepared by a true chef. The |
| make sure everyone's passports and other official | | | | same companies that charter the small boats also |
| papers are taken care of ahead of time. Some | | | | offer larger yachts or boats that can hold more |
| incorrect processing or missed legality may put a | | | | people. So it is a good idea to plan in detail, before |
| damper on your enjoyment while sailing. Also, | | | | you go there. |
| know that if you are married aboard a cruise ship, | | | | If you love the sea and want your wedding to be |
| your wedding license may be issued by the | | | | memorable and romantic, a cruise wedding is the |
| country of the cruise lines' origin. | | | | way to go. Just remember to explore all your |
| If finances are a problem, couples with tighter | | | | options. |